Window shade bracket



Nov. 9, 1965 s. FRADIN WINDGW SHADE BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1963 Nov. 9, 1965 s. FRADIN wmnow saws snacxnw 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1963 FIG.I|

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INVENTOR SAMUEL FRADIN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,216,691 WINDOW SHADE BRACKET Samuel Fradin, Baltimore, Md., assiguor to Globe Products Corporation, a corporation of Maryland Filed Sept. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 309,625 12 Claims. (Cl. 248-268) This invention relates to a window shade bracket, used generally in pairs, mounted on opposite sides of a window frame, the brackets of the present invention being simple in structure and rigid, but adjustable to varying run-ofthe-mill lengths of the article.

In the prior art there are a great many brackets for window shades and similar articles. Some have even provided for adjustability to varying length of the articles. However, in the latter types they have been unsatisfactory for one or more of a number of reasons. Some are too complicated for simple use and adjustment. Others do not assure proper realinement of parts in readjusted position. Still others are not simple to manufacture. In addition, some require too many separate parts that must be manufactured and assembled. These and other features distract from their use.

Among the objects of this invention is a simple, sturdy bracket adjustable to varying lengths of the article yet having no moving parts. The bracket may be readily applied by the housekeeper and readjusted if necessary,

,all without more than the use of tools found in every household.

These and other objects will be seen below from the more detailed description given by way of illustration and not limitation since changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art.

In connection with that description, the drawing shows modifications of the preferred form of the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a window shade mounted in a window frame utilizing the bracket of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the invention of a window shade mounted on brackets shown in detail.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show a pair of brackets of the invention.

FIGURE 5 shows a deformed bracket adjusted to receive a shade of greater length than in its normal condition. FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are blanks for making brackets illustrating three different patterns of the present invention. FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate a modified form of bracket.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of a further modified form of the bracket. FIGURE 12 is a front elevation of the tbracket of FIGURE 11. FIGURE 13 is a detail of side portions in perspective with interlocking means. FIGURE 14 is a blank from which the bracket of FIG- URE 11 may be constructed.

In accordance with the present invention a metal window bracket is provided for window shades or other analogous articles which bracket fits on the window frame as a support, so that the article pivots in its support, the latter being at right angles to the length of the article.

3,216,691 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 The bracket is a sturdy or rigid structure usually used in pairs, one at each end of the article. The brackets are capable of being readily deformed symmetrically to vary the distance between a pair when mounted for use, the deformation being easily performed by the housewife. The structure of the bracket may be in the form of what is called a four-bar linkage and allows the bracket to collapse or deform symmetrically to vary the distance from the face member on which the article pivots, to the base member which is attached to the window frame, while retaining the face and base members parallel, and thus at the same time enlarging the distance between the brackets for the longer article. The collapse or deformation of the brackets is thus adjustable while they are in position on the window frame, and may be accomplished by the blow of a hammer, a tool present in practically every household. And if perchance the deformation is greater than desired, the bracket may be pried to increase the distance between its face and base members, by use of a screw driver or other simple tool commonly present in the household, the face and base members remaining substantially parallel. The metal which desirably is steel, but may vary, may be scored or otherwise modified, as explained below, to facilitate the deformation and to position it properly.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawing, window shade 1 of conventional form pivots on pins 2, 3

on the shade in brackets 4, 5 mounted on the inner side portions 6, 7 of Window frame 8. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 particularly, the brackets are generally used in pairs. Each bracket has base portions 9, 10 and face portion 11 supported on, spaced from, and substantially parallel to the base portions, by substantially sturdy or rigid but deformable V-shaped side members 12; one end 13 of the V being joined to base member 9 at joint 14 while the end 15 of the other V is joined to base member 10 at joint 16. So too, end 17 of the first V-member is joined to face member 11 at joint 18, While end 19 of the second V-member is joined to face member 11 at joint 20. The only difference between the brackets in a pair is that one of the brackets carries perforation 21 while the other bracket in the pair has perforation 22 with notch 23 open to the outside so that the shade may be placed in position as is conventionally done. Any other conventional type of paired brackets may be used. Thus if the pins 2, 3 are springpressed (not shown), both perforations may be like that at 21.

The brackets may be readily produced by being made from blanks as illustrated in FIGURES 6 to 8 of the drawing. In FIGURE 6, elongated blank 25 has scoring as indicated at 26, a perforation at 27 to form a bearing for the shade pivot pin, and perforations 28 for screws or nails to hold the bracket on supporting wall 7. The blank may be readily bent on the score lines or notches 26 to the form shown in FIGURES 3, 4.

In FIGURE 7, blank 29-has notches 30 spaced to Weaken the metal so that it may be bent readily into the form shown in FIGURES 3, 4. Perforations 27 and 28, 28 serve the same purposes as for FIGURE 6.

In FIGURE 8, blank 31 has openings 32 to weaken 3 the metal and permit it to be bent into desired contour as in FIGURES 3, 4. Also, if desired, beads may be formed to reenforce the retained metal for greater strength where so much metal has been cut away. Here, too, perforations 27 and 28, 28 serve the same purposes as for FIGURE 6.

The use of the brackets will be clear from the above sgiven description. A pair of brackets as shown in FIG- URES 3, 4, is mounted on a window frame as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, and a window shade tried in the brackets. If the distance and length agree, nothing more is required. If the shade is too long to fit, it is removed, and each bracket hit on its exposed face with a hammer to deform or collapse the brackets symmetrically and enlarge the span of the brackets. The shade is tried again, and the operation repeated until adjustment has been obtained. The ultimate adjustment is illustrated in FIGURE 5. The process may be reversed to reduce the span.

The brackets illustrated above the FIGURES 6 to 8 are constructed so that the base portions are attached in parallel position with the face and the brackets thus secured on the inner walls such as at 6. This form is called conventionally an inside bracket. In other cases it is desired to attach the brackets on the outside of window frame 8. For this use the base and face portions lie in planes at right angles to each other as illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10.

In this outside bracket a pair of brackets is used as in FIGURES 3 and 4, except that to portions 9 and 10 a wing portion 24 is formed extending at right angles to base members 9 and 10 respectively. These base portions carry perforations 28 similar to those of FIGURES 3 and 4.

The structure is similar to that for the inside bracket. Each bracket has base portion 9, 10 for attachment to window frame 8. Wing portion 24 extends from base portion 9 or 10 at right angles to the base portion. The substantially rigid but deformable V-shaped side member 11 is used, one end being joined to wing 24 at joint 35 and the other end being joined at joint 36 to the face portion having perforation 28, for the pivoting movement.

A pair of such outside brackets may be made from blanks similar to FIGURES 6 to 8, except that an ear 24' may be formed on each end of a blank as in FIG- URE 6, to be bent upwardly to form the wing portion 24. The outside brackets are attached on the outside of the window frame and positioned in a manner similar to that of the inside brackets.

Further modifications are shown in the drawing. Thus, referring to FIGURES 11-14, a modified form of outside bracket. is shown differing in several respects from that set forth in FIGURES 9 and 10. In the modified form, deformable V-shaped side members 37 are part of a hexagonal frame 38 in which they are connected by face member 39 at joints 40, 41. Each side element 42 is extended inwardly toward the other to form a half side portion 43, 44 parallel to face member 39 and constitute the final side of the hexagon. Outer ends of portions 43, 44 are then turned inwardly at 45, 46 to give wing members 47, 48, which carry base members 49, 49 similar to base members 9, 10, in FIGURE 10.

Since as shown, inturned portions 45, 46 desirably abut each other, they may be locked in contact to give a sturdier structure. For this purpose inturned end 45 is provided with opening 50 to receive tongue 51 stamped from inturned portion 46. Tongue 51 fits into opening 50 when inturned portions 45, 46 are in contact. Perforation 52 permits insertion of a tool to bend tongue 51 inwardly against the wall of opening 50 to lock the parts together. If desired, the same structure as shown in FIGURES 11 to 13 to form the hexagonal frame, wing and base members, may also be used on the brackets of FIGURES 9 and 10.

A blank for producing the bracket of FIGURES 11-13 is illustrated in FIGURE 14. Elongated blank 53 has body portion 54 with scoring at 55 to assist in bending the metal to form sidm of hexagonal frame 38. Extensions 56, 57 are turned to form wing members 47, 48 and extensions 58, 59 provide base members 49.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. An inside window bracket for an article to be mounted on a window supporting frame, the article having a pivot element at its end on which the article may pivot, a base portion on the bracket for atachment to the supporting frame, a face portion supported on, spaced from and substantially parallel to the base portion by a substantially rigid but deformable V-shaped side member, one end of the V being joined to the base portion and the other end of the V being joined to the face portion, the face portion having a bearing member to cooperate with the pivot member on the article to permit pivoting action of the article when in position, whereby the V-shaped side member may be deformed to vary the distance of the face portion from the base portion while retaining them parallel to accommodate adjustment to variations in the lengths of articles.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 in which the article is a window shade, the pivot element on each end of the shade is a pin, there is a bracket on each of the opposite sides of the window frame, the bearing element on each bracket is a perforation for each pin, one of the perforations having a notch so that the shade may be positioned in place.

3. A window bracket for an article to be mounted on a window supporting frame, the article having a pivot element at its end on which the article may pivot, a base portion on the bracket for attachment to the supporting frame, a face portion supported above and spaced from the base portion by a substantially rigid but deformable V-shaped side member, one end of the V being joined to the base portion and the other end of the V being joined to the face portion, the face portion having a bearing member to cooperate with the pivot member on the article to permit pivoting action of the article when in position, whereby the V-shaped side member may be deformed to vary the height of the face portion to accommodate adjustment to variations in the lengths of articles.

4. An outside window bracket for a window shade to be mounted on a window supporting frame, by a pair of such brackets, one on each side of the frame, the shade having a pin as a pivot element on each end on which the shade may pivot, each bracket having a base portion for attachment to the window frame, a wing portion at right angles to the base portion, a substantially rigid but deformable V-shaped side member, one end of the V being joined to the wind on the base portion and the other end of the V being joined to the face portion, the face portion having a perforation to receive the pin on the shade for pivoting movement, whereby the V-shaped side member may be deformed to vary the height of the face portion to accommodate adjustment to variations in the lengths of shades.

5. A bracket according to claim 4 in which the side members are weakened to facilitate their deformation for adjustment.

6. A bracket according to claim 5 in which the joints are weakened by scoring of the metal at the joints, to induce symmetrical bending.

7. A bracket according to claim 5 in which the joints are weakened by notching the metal symmetrically adjacent the joints.

8. A bracket according to claim 5 in which the metal adjacent the joints is substantially but symmetrically cut away to weaken the V-members for symmetrical deformation.

9. A bracket for a window shade with a pin on one end to be mounted on a window frame, said bracket having a pair of base portions, a wing member connected at right angles to each base portion, and a hexagonal frame connected to the wing members, said frame comprising deformable, V-shaped side members connected to a face member having an opening adapted to receive the pin of a window shade, a half-side portion connected to each V-shaped side member remote for the face memher, and turned inwardly and connected to the wing members.

10. The bracket of claim 9 in which the half-side portions abut each other at their turned portions.

11. The bracket of claim 10 in which the half-side abutting portions are locked together.

12. The bracket of claim 9 in which the half-side are locked together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHANCELLOR E.

Miller 248268 Vickery 248268 X Weiher 248268 McCosh.

Moore 248268 Nahman.

Brown 24857 X Becher 211 73 HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiners. 

1. AN INSIDE WINDOW BRACKET FOR AN ARTICLE TO BE MOUNTED ON A WINDOW SUPPORTING FRAME, THE ARTICLE HAVING A PIVOT ELEMENT AT ITS END ON WHICH THE ARTICLE MAY PIVOT, A BASE PORTION ON THE BRACKET FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUPPORTING FRAME, A FACE PORTION SUPPORTED ON, SPACED FROM AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE BASE PORTION BY A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID BUT DEFORMABLE V-SHAPED SIDE MEMBER, ONE END OF THE V BEING JOINED TO THE BASE PORTION AND THE OTHER END OF THE V BEING JOINED TO THE FACE PORTION, THE FACE PORTION HAVING A BEARING MEMBER TO COOPERATE WITH THE PIVOT MEMBER ON THE ARTICLE TO PERMIT PIVOTING ACTION OF THE ARTICLE WHEN IN POSITION, WHEREBY THE V-SHAPED SIDE MEMBER MAY BE DEFORMED TO VARY THE DISTANCE OF THE FACE PORTION FROM THE BASE PORTION WHILE RETAINING THEM PARALLEL TO ACCOMMODATE ADJUSTMENT TO VARIATIONS IN THE LENGTHS OF ARTICLES. 